Friday is Natural History Day in the River Houses — it’s when we share notes, ideas, observations, and little lessons that you can drop into your own homeschool science schedule. Here’s a great opportunity from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring both art and wildlife into your homeschool with their free Conservation Education Curriculum.
The Fish and Wildlife Service runs an annual illustration contest for young artists as part of their Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Program, a youth-oriented program that supplements the long-established Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp program. There are a wide variety of educational resources available to accompany the Junior Duck Stamp program, including special printable materials designed for homeschoolers — take a look at the whole collection:
The curriculum combines science and art, encouraging students to develop their skills in both areas:
Are you a student interested in exploring wildlife, habitat conservation and visual arts? Do you want to investigate careers in biology or ornithology? Are you looking for ways to creatively express what you have learned in biology class? Do you have something to share with others about waterfowl and wetlands? Are you looking for educator and student resources?
Since its inception in 1989, the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program has used a science-based art curriculum. Students are involved in hands-on learning opportunities, discovering the wonders of North American waterfowl, habitat characteristics, and conservation principles – all through a visual arts program.
Among the materials available to support this learning are four curriculum guides that help spark interest in wildlife and habitat conservation through science, art, math and technology focused lessons and activities. The final project or “visual term paper” is the opportunity to enter the Junior Duck Stamp art and conservation message contests. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
If you’re looking for some excellent homeschool materials to inspire your students in both art and science, these resources might be just the thing for you!
What artistically scientific discoveries have you made in your homeschool lately? 😊
❡ Books in the running brooks: Our recommended homeschool reference library (riverhouses.org/books) includes an excellent bird guide that would serve your homeschool well. Many other similar guides are also available — find one that’s a good fit for your family and take it with you on all your outings, whether far afield or just out to the backyard. 🦉
❡ Nature notes: This is one of our regular Homeschool Natural History posts. Add your name to our free weekly mailing list (riverhouses.org/newsletter) and get great homeschool teaching ideas delivered right to your mailbox all through the year. 😊
